PARISH INFORMATION MARRIAGE: Contact the Parish office at (916) 452-0296 6 months prior to the wedding date. Marriage Prepara on classes are available. INFANT BAPTISM: Contact the Parish Office. Parents and godparents must a end class. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Contact the Parish Office regarding sick, elderly who are at home, hospitals or special care facili es. MUSIC: For Music Ministry, call Ben (916) 383-6155 RCIA: Process for adults and children of cateche cal age who are interested in joining the Catholic Church and bap zed Catholics wan ng to complete their ini a on sacraments of Confirma on and Eucharist. Please call Michelle Mills at (916) 806-6876 CFF: Catholic youth are formed through the Parish Faith Forma on Program (CFF). Cindy Blecha (916) 826-1328 BULLETIN: Our church bulle n is prepared two weeks in advance. All submissions are reviewed by the Pastor. Email requests to traci@stmarysacto.org no later than the Thursday two weeks before.

ST. MARY SCHOOL To enroll in Preschool or TK to 8th grade,

please contact principal, Laura Allen at the school (916) 452-1100 or find more informa on on our

website www.saintmaryschool.com

MASS SCHEDULE Sunday 8:00, 9:30, 11:00am, and 6:00pm

Daily Mass: Monday - Saturday 8:00am; Saturday 5:00pm (Vigil Mass)

Holy Days: As announced in bulle n CONFESSION : Saturday: 3:30pm-4:30pm

Or by appointment PASTOR: Fr. Antony Vadakara, CMI

frantony@stmarysacto.org PAROCHIAL VICAR: Fr. Joseph Kuzhichalil, CMI

frjoseph@stmarysacto.org DEACONS: Deacon Luigi Del Gaudio, MSW

deaconlu@stmarysacto.org Deacon George W. Kriske

deacongeorge@stmarysacto.org BUSINESS MANAGER: Tracilyn Peters

Email: traci@stmarysacto.org Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm

INFANT MARY CHAPEL Open Daily 6:30 am-5:00 pm

Solemn Adora on: First Fridays 8:30 am-6:00pm PARISHIONER REGISTRATION: contact parish office

ST. MARY PARISH

1333 58th Street, Sacramento, CA 95819 Phone: (916) 452-0296

www.stmarysacto.org

FOLLOW OUR PARISH

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME (1384-1440) March 9 Nature and human nature—plagues and wars—turned late medieval Rome into a living hell, particularly for the sick and poor. Frances, by birth and marriage well provided for, was a devoted wife and mother; but like Benedictine Oblates, who to this day “pray and work” while living with their families and working in the world, she joined like-minded laywomen friends in ministering to society’s most vulnerable. Frances’ charity was not only “hands on” but “in home.” Her palace became a hospital after the plague claimed two of her three children. When her husband’s death ended their loving marriage of forty years, Frances joined other widowed Oblates in community. In an interesting link to the United States, our nation’s premier religious congregation for women of color, the Oblate Sisters of Providence, in 1833 established bonds of spiritual communion with these Oblates of Saint Frances in Rome. Though Black History Month is past, take a moment to learn about the good work that Mother Lange’s spiritual daughters are doing still and consider supporting them as a Lenten project: www.oblatesisters.com. —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Flu season, COVID-19 and taking precautions to mitigate the spread of infection.

REMINDER

The flu season came early this year. Now, with growing concerns about the Corona virus it’s important that we continue to be vigilant about taking precautions against the spread of disease. While the number of cases of people infected with the Corona virus in the U.S. is very small, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that the incidence of flu and flu-like illnesses is still widespread and at a level requiring we do everything reasonably possible to mitigate the spread of infection. Therefore, in order to protect the health and well-being of everyone, we wish to remind you of the following directives: 1. The use of the Communion cup is suspended temporarily. 2. Receive the Body of Christ in the hand (although receiving on the tongue is permitted) 3. Do not hold hands during the Our Father. 4. Effective immediately, Bishop Soto instructs the presiders and deacons at Mass to refrain from inviting the assembly to exchange the sign of peace. o After the priest says “The Peace of the Lord be with you always” and the assembly responds “And with your Spirit” he should proceed directly to the fraction rite. o Prior to Mass the presider should advise the assembly of this change. o This will remain in effect until further notice. 5. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must cleanse their hands with an alcohol-based antiseptic before and after administering Holy Communion. This also applies to those who take Holy Communion to the home-bound. The obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and other Holy Days does not apply to those who are sick. If you are sick, stay home and take of yourself. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. And pray for those who are sick. The administration of Holy Communion in both kinds will resume as soon as the Bishop deems it safe and prudent to do so. Fr. Antony Vadakara, CMI—Your Pastor

Mass Intentions Requested By Saturday, March 7 8:00am Gloria Gabrielli Nick & Lilian Clifford 5:00pm Maria & Marco Ferrarotti + Daughters Sunday, March 8 8:00am Lucy White Jim & Ginny Johnson 9:30am Donald Kriske + Nick & Lilian Clifford 11:00am Charlie & Tim Nulk + Family

6:00pm For our Parishioners & Their Prayer Requests Monday, March 9 8:00am Elsie Kazarian + Joyce, Mike, Tami, Nordine & Tay Sears Fr. Sijo, CMI Jim & Ginny Johnson 6:30pm Holy Mass Tuesday, March 10 8:00am Mary Velo + Lucchesini Family Fr. Sijo Mary Kassis 6:30pm Holy Mass Wednesday, March 11 8:00am Andrew Trujillo Trujillo Family Bill & Virginia White + Jim & Ginny Johnson 6:30pm No Mass Thursday, March 12 8:00am Betty Plaxico Tom & Sandra Melavic Margaret Meierotto + Harriet Coster 6:30pm No Mass Friday, March 13 8:00am George Gianechini + Wife & Family Alvin Meierotto + Harriet Coster Saturday, March 14 8:00am Joe Longo + Ron Pane 5:00pm Juanita Corcoran + Ramona Bugatto Sunday, March 15 8:00 am Al Franzoia + Wife & Family 9:30am Ken Van Derploeg Nick & Lilian Clifford 11:00am Joseph Datu Family Mike & Bev Paparella 6:00pm For our Parishioners & Their Prayer Requests

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13; Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; Mt 20:17-28 Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31 Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a; 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21; Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Sunday: Ex 17:3-7; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42]

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Second Sunday of Lent; Daylight Saving Time begins; International Women’s Day Monday: St. Frances of Rome; Purim (Jewish observance) begins at sunset Friday: Abstinence

We Welcome the Following New Parishioners To Our Parish Family:

Rosa Maria Castanos-Padilla

Jarad & Charlotte Nunez

We encourage all our new parishioners

to take a moment to register.

Edison Jose Sison Jeremiah Malakai Otuhiva

CHANGE Lent is all about change and change is usually not easy. In order to change we have to leave something be-hind. Today we hear about a very old man who decides to answer God’s call. Abram experiences a tremendous amount of change when he leaves everything behind, risk-ing it all for God’s promise. Jesus changes, is transfig-ured, right before the eyes of his disciples. The Lenten scriptures issue the call for us to change, to be transfig-ured, so that we, too, will soon share in the glory of God. What is it that the Lord is asking us to leave behind? Are we willing to take the risk for the promise made by God? These questions are at the heart of the Lenten journey of conversion. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Save the Dates! Our Parish Lenten Mission is March 23-26, 2020! Lent is right around the corner and this year St. Mary's is proud to welcome Fr. Jack Conley for our parish mission. Fr. Jack is a Passionist priest and the newest member of the retreat team at Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights. He has preached missions and retreats throughout the US and abroad and has a great passion for bringing the love of Christ to God’s people. All are invited to attend this very special Parish Mission. We are all hungry for God, craving meaning and purpose, hope and inspiration. Our appeal is to ALL who have stayed or strayed, so please join us and "Rekindle the Fire of Spiritual Growth!"

Lenten Soup Meal & Stations of the Cross Please join us every Friday during lent from 5:30pm-6:30pm for our Lenten Soup Meal in Giovani Hall followed by Stations of the Cross at 6:30pm in the Church. Thank you to the following ministries who have agreed to host the Lenten Soup Meals. March 13 – St. Mary School March 20 – St. Mary St. Vincent De Paul March 27 - St. Mary Loving Hearts & Bereavement April 3 - St. Mary Men’s Faith & Fellowship Ministry

Second Sunday Breakfast:

Please join us on Sunday, March 8 for our next Second Sunday Breakfast. Thank you to Marco and Monica Romo and their kitchen crew for serve a delicious hot meal after the 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. masses. After the 11:00 a.m. mass, join us for coffee and something sweet. Thanks also The Knights of Columbus Council 953 for co-hosting this month's breakfast. Please note that we will not have a breakfast in April or May because the second Sunday falls on Easter and Mother's Day, so plan to join us again on June 14 for another Second Sunday Breakfast.

Centering Prayer

Are we a truly Christ-centered people? “Without an abiding relationship with God, it is difficult to live an authentic and consistent Christian life.” - Pope Francis Come join the Centering Prayer Group every Wednesday at 9:45– 11:30am in the Holy Spouses Room on the ’M’ Street side of the church. 9:45am- Gathering 10:00am– Reading and meditation 11:00am– Fellowship with refreshments “Let the Spirit speak to your heart.” - Pope Francis For more information, call Maxine at 916-383-1142

SPRING WEATHER In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. —Mark Twain

HIGH SCHOOL TEENS Sun. Mar. 8 - LifeNight after 6pm Mass in the Hall Our theme for the night will be FRIENDSHIP All high school teens are welcome. For add'l details, send an email to lifeteen@stmarysacto.org or find us on the parish Facebook and Instagram.

Calling All Widows! Our February 14 meeting fell on a beautiful, sunny day. Father Antony celebrated an uplifting Mass for all of us, reminding us in his homily to always find joy and peace in our wonderful God. God will never abandon us when we ask for his help to face the ups and downs of our life. Following Mass, we gathered at Espanol Restaurant for a wonderful Valentine lunch. Some of our widows were missing, two traveling and a few under the weather. We experienced much laughter as we listened to stories of past Valentine celebrations. Thank you, Judy and Rosemary, for once again bringing treats. Continue to pray for our widows who are not in good health. Please mark Friday, March 13, as our next meeting. Mass will be at 10 AM in the Infant Mary Chapel. We hope to have a guest speaker. Call Celeste Gisla at: 916-308-0804; or Gloria Gabrielli at: 916-455-9946, or if you are interested in becoming a member of Anna's Ministry For Widows.

THE HEAVIEST LOAD A chip on the shoulder is the heaviest load anyone can carry. -Anonymous

3/8/20 Second Sunday Social RCIA Children’s Liturgy of the Word School Family Mass Catholic Schools Majorettes Lifeteen 3/9/20 Divine Mercy Chaplet Prayer Request Group School Auction Meeting 3/10/20 School Confirmation Practice School Parent Club Board Meeting St. Mary Parish Adult Recreational Basketball 3/11/20 Centering Prayer Group Choir Practice SVDP Meeting CFF CFF Confirmation Practice Bible Study 3/12/20 School Mass Choir Practice Stewardship Meeting First Reconciliation 3/13/20 Divine Mercy Chaplet Anna Ministry Meeting Lenten Soup Meal Stations of the Cross 3/14/20 School Auction Confessions 3/15/20 RCIA Children’s Liturgy of the Word Confirmation Catholic Schools Majorettes

OUR MISSION STATEMENT St. Mary Parish prepares and sustains its members and

guests for a life and eternity in the presence of God. In accomplishing our mission, we proclaim and

celebrate our salvation through Jesus Christ enlivened by the Holy Spirit, nourish our sacramental life

especially in the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist and demonstrate our faith worshiping, educating,

serving and encouraging vocations.

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! Thank you to Dorothy Cruz, Ed Dagang and Nancy Born for volunteering to help out in the parish office last week. Your help is truly and greatly appreciated!!

THE GIFT OF TREASURE With gratitude for the gifts they have received,

Parishioners and visitors made a joyful return to the Lord of the following:

March 1, 2020

Weekly Collection (including EOP) :$8,044.93* Weekly Goal (to cover expenses): $13,000.00

Please remember St. Mary’s,

your Spiritual Home, in your will. *This amount only represents weekly Sunday Mass

collections. Other sources of income (i.e. donations, building fund, etc.) are not included in this number.

March Altar Society News On March 17, 2020, St. Patrick's Day, our members will be gathering in the Chapel at 10:00 am for a Mass to be celebrated by Father Antony. It will be followed by our third Tuesday of the month meeting & refreshments in the Holy Spouses Room. Our hostesses Peggy & Cathy plan to make it extra special for our St. Patrick's Feast Day. Anyone interested in our ministry is very welcome and encouraged to come, enjoy and meet our members. We will continue to collect our yearly membership dues of $15.00 for those who were unable to attend our January meeting. We want to thank Sally for Caring for the Lin-ens in February and Grace who is currently taking on that task. Remember to attend our March meeting because it's going to be a lot of fun!!!

SHARING It's easy to halve the potato where there’s love. —Irish saying

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Do you have questions about the Catholic faith? Are you thinking about becoming Catholic?

Are you Catholic but never completed the Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation and/or Eucharist)?

If you or someone you know has questions like these, contact Michelle Mills at 916-806-6876 for more information about the RCIA process.

The Spring Bible Study begins Wednesday, March 4th at 7:30 pm in the school library. FULFILLED Part 2 Explore the Biblical foundations of the Catholic Faith Uncover God's consistent design for worship through out the Bible. Learn how the Tabernacle in Exodus serves as a blueprint for Catholic practices.

Understand how the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus. Each session includes a discussion on the weekly bible reading, followed by a video lecture from an Ascension Press Scripture Teacher. Ascension Press Catholic Bible Studies provide the easiest way to understand the Bible and experience the life-changing power of God’s Word. Hundreds of thousands of people have found new meaning in their lives in this way. Come join us! Open to all 14-adult. No prior experience necessary. Materials fee: $22 - if you completed part I $30 - if you are new to the study Registration guarantees that you will be able to have materials at the first session: Gwen Devereux | biblestudy@stmarysacto.org | 916.281.9353 Or Reach out through the bible study group in the MyParish app.

Medicine of Mercy: Sacraments of Healing; Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick

Saturday, March 14, 2020, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Divine Mercy Parish (Natomas), 2231 Club Center Dr., Sacramento 95835 Grounded in scripture and the Church’s primary liturgical documents, this five-part series covers the theological principles and best practices of Catholic worship. This course is especially suited for members of parish liturgy committees, musicians and liturgical ministers. Register today! $35 per session (Lunch included in registration) scdliturgy.eventbrite.com. Registration Questions? Martha Haig • mhaig@scd.org • 916-733-0131

Thank you for helping our neighbors in need through the Annual Catholic Appeal Your gift will make a difference in someone’s life. If you have not yet made a donation, it’s not too late! Envelopes are still available in the church or in the parish office. Please remember…25% of what you give is returned to our parish to assist people in our own community who need help.

Knights of Columbus Council 953 Knights of Columbus Council 953 is excited to announce the return of Irish Night on Saturday, March 14th. We hope you can join us for a fun night with Irish Music and a traditional dinner service of corned beef and cabbage, carrots, red potatoes, salad, and ice cream for dessert. Social hour starts at 6pm and dinner will be served at 7pm. Tickets are only $20 ($5 for kids), so please reserve a seat while they’re still available by calling Brother Matt Hermann at 916-549-5233. Happy St Patrick's Day!

Arise: High School Lock-In Friday, March 28, 2020 at 8:00 pm to Saturday, March 29, 2020 at 8:00 am Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Carmichael (5057 Cottage Way, Carmichael 95608) Imagine an all-nighter with Catholic High Schoolers from throughout the diocese. A night filled with games, food, making new friends, Adoration, and inspiring messages. You can experience an awesome all-nighter like this at Arise: High School Lock-In. Youth Ministries are invited to bring teens for an all-night experience which begins at 7pm on Friday, March 28th and ends by 8am on Saturday, March 29th. The lock-in will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Carmichael. For more information including registration, visit: www.scd.org/lockin. Cost is $25/person. Any teens interested in attending, but who don’t have a youth ministry coordinator, please contact Lindsey West at lwest@scd.org or 916-733-0151. Co-sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry, Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Paul Youth Ministry, and St. Joseph (Lincoln) Life Teen.

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